Diversity and Flexibility – Your Workforce Needs Addressed

Workforce needs for employers are ever-present during slow economic times. How can employers continue to focus on issues important to their employees while juggling all of the other business demands that vie for their attention?

One such issue is diversity in the workforce. Diversity covers the broad range of race, color, age, gender. . .and cannot fail to be addressed regardless of struggling times. Issues such as inclusion, how to maximize your diverse workforce, and methods for increasing diversity should be addressed openly and often. For this reason, we are collaborating sponsors of Dallas HR’s 2009 Annual Diversity Conference again this year. Practical, in-depth information will be shared by area companies including: Mary Kay, Deloitte, and AT&T, among others. Visit our website to find out more about this event on August 11. Also at this event, Linda Valdez Thompson with DFW International Airport will be recognized as the 2009 Diversity Excellence Award Winner. Strategies for fostering a diverse work environment will be shared.

Workforce development is about more than hiring and training the right workers. It is about identifying and addressing other critical factors such as transportation, health care, and childcare that enable people to work and advance in their careers.

In today’s struggling economy, many organizations are embracing workplace flexibility as a business strategy that allows them to contain labor and operational costs at the same time as they keep employees engaged and remain nimble.

With an uncertain economic future as a backdrop, businesses throughout the country are realizing that necessity drives invention. For many, the reinvention of work and implementation of workplace flexibility is key to building long-term success.

The DFW Winning Workplaces Awards Ceremony recognizes local businesses invested in preserving employee satisfaction by investing in workplace flexibility. We invite you to join us for a panel discussion with finalists of the 2009 Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility and 2009 Employer Excellence Awards. Each will share what workplace flexibility means in their organization and how it can ultimately boost YOUR bottom line.

The Dallas Regional Chamber Employer Excellence Awards are awarded to Chamber Member companies recognized by Fortune Magazine’s ‘Best Places to Work’ lists. The Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility recognize organizations that are striving to find new ways to make work work in today’s changing economy. Dallas is one of 30 cities and states selected from across the nation for special targeted efforts to share research and practical guidance on workplace flexibility as a When Work Works community. The Chamber is working in collaboration with the national partners of When Work Works to convene local employers to share research, identify best practices locally and nationally, and provide practical advice about how to implement flexibility as a strategic business tool in response to the changing economy and changing workforce.

The luncheon to be held on August 19th from 12:00 - 1:30pm at the Sheraton Dallas will include a panel discussion and awards presentation. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact cdelossantos@dallaschamber.org or (214) 746-6778.